Born:
June 8,1810, his father was August Schumann who was an author. His mother, Johanna Christiane Schnabel, gave him his earliest music lessons.
Birthplace:
Zwickau, Germany
Died:
July 29, 1856, one of the factors believed to have caused his death was the mercury treatments he underwent when he was in an asylum.
Also Known As:
Music journalist and critic, he was editor of Neue Zeitschrift ffor Musik. German composer who served as the voice of other Romantic composers.
Type of Compositions:
He composed a lot of music which revolved around the theme of "childhood". He wrote music for the piano, lieders, instrumental music, orchestral music,
chamber music and
operas, among others.
Influence:
Johann Gottfried Kuntzsch taught him on the piano and organ. Friedrich Wieck, the father of his wife, became Schumann's piano teacher when he was 18 years old. Heinrich Dorn taught him about
counterpoint.
Notable Works:
Among his well known work are: Piano Concerto in A minor, Arabesque in C Major Op. 18, Child Falling Asleep, Traumerei, The Happy Peasant, Papillons, Die Davidbundlertanze, Abegg Variations, Fantasiestücke, Liederkreis, Frauenliebe und Leben and Dichterliebe.
Interesting Fact:
Both his parents suffered from mental problems and his sister committed suicide when she was a teenager. Sadly, Schumann developed mental problems later on as well. He began suffering from auditory hallucinations and after throwing himself into the Rhine, he willingly asked to be put in an asylum.
Music Sample:
Schumann Midi FilesSelected "Piano Four Hands" Compositions:
Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Twelve Piano Pieces for Old and Young Children, Op. 85
Kinderball, Op. 130
Ballscenen, Op. 109
